Page 14 - book_james

Being swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath are listed in their proper order. The first area of
responsibility in a situation is to build faith by “hearing” and finding the Word of God about a situation.
We should find as many Scriptures as possible to meditate on and build inner strength to face that
situation (Psalm 1:1‐3, Proverbs 4:20‐22).

A person should be “slow to speak,” and guard their mouth, so they are not hasty to speak in reaction to
a situation, or to speak things contrary to the Word. Keeping quiet is a spiritual virtue (Proverbs 10:19,
13:13, 14:29, 29:11, Ecclesiastes 5:2). “Swift” and “slow” show attitudes behind the actions. The Word of
God should build attitudes in our lives to know when to be quick to act and when to be slow.
“Slow to wrath” is the last thing mentioned. Quick words and reactions to a situation without scripture
and patience to back it up will produce emotional outbursts that will later be regretted. The feeling of
anger toward the acts of Satan and evil are not wrong. Jesus demonstrated this when He drove the
moneychangers from the temple (John 2:15‐16). This was a defense of righteousness. The problems of life
are to be confronted with patience and a dependence on the Word of God.
Jas 1:20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

For the wrath of man worketh (ergazetai: work, to work out, to perform) not the righteousness of God.

Human anger is not an appropriate avenue for the production of righteousness even if the intent is good.
God does not need man’s help to attain His goals. His goals are met with His power and His Word. Man’s
wrath is the arm of the flesh, which is an abomination in the sight of the Lord. “And in my flesh dwelleth
no good thing” (Romans 7:18).

Jas 1:21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the
implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Wherefore, lay apart (putting off) all filthiness (rupara: dirtiness) and superfluity (perisseian: overflowing)
of naughtiness (kakos: wickedness) . . . .
an analogy of clothing is used in this verse, the putting off of old, dirty clothes and putting on of new, clean
ones. This is a picture of holiness being worked in our daily lives. This is something we must do for
ourselves; God will not do it for us (2 Timothy 2:22, James 4:7‐8, 1 Peter 5:6). We first rid ourselves of sins
by confessing them to the Lord (1 John 1:9). Once fellowship is restored, we are ready to receive the Word.
We are then in a position to be used by the Lord, a vessel unto honor (2 Timothy 2:20‐21). James’s
congregation was living in filthiness, and evil overflowed in their lives. This too, was a bad witness to the
city around them. It was time for them to take charge of their lives by the power of the Word of God that
had been given to them by James.

B. Receiving the Word with Meekness

. . . and receive (dexasthe: welcome with open arms) with meekness (praus: teachable attitude) the
engrafted (emphuton: implanted) word, which is able to save (sozo: save) your souls.

“Receive” is the other side of the coin to “lay aside.” When you turn from something, you must turn
towards something else. The Word of God is the object here to “put on.” But now the analogy turns from
clothes to seeds in the ground. Just as the laying aside has to be done by the individual, so does the
receiving of the Word of God. It is not only to be welcomed but also with an attitude of humility. No one